Disk harrow



June 1, 1943.

.1. A. LOVE 2,320,624

DISK HARROW Filed July '7, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JABEZ 4. 101 5 Patented June 1, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISK HARROW Jabez A. Love, Eau Claire, Mich.

Application July 7, 1941, Serial No. 401,317

18 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in disk harrows.

So called unit mounting systems have been developed for the connection of various agricultural implements to a tractor in a manner to control the setting of the implement without requiring undue weight of the implement and also to permit the implement to be carried in an elevated position. Unit mountings of this type have additional advantages with respect to the simplicity and ease of attachment or connection of an implement to a tractor and also permit a great saving of time in connectin'g'and disconnecting implements from the tractor. The unit mounting usually comprises a pair of tension or pulling arms adapted for connection with the implement in transversely spaced substantially aligned points and a positioning bar connected with the implement at a point above the point of connection of the tension bars which serves to substantially prevent the implement from tilting when the same is being passed through ground much harder or heavier than the major portion of the ground which is being worked thereby.

While the unit mounting aforesaid offers substantial advantages as above mentioned, one of its principal disadvantages is that up to this time only a limited number of implements have been designed and perfected which may be connected with such a unit mounting.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a disk harrow adapted to be connected to a tractor by a unit mounting.

A further object is to provide a disk harrow having at least three points of connection with a tractor of which at least two constitute draft points and the remainder are positioning points is connected and from which each gang is pulled.

A further object is to provide a tandem disk harrow which is longitudinally compact to reduce'the lever eiifect thereof upon a tractor and to efiect an effective and uniform cut.

A further object is to provide a tandem harrow having a rigid frame and adapted for connection with a tractor at least at 3 points spaced transversely and vertically whereby the front and rear gangs will effect a cut of the same depth.

A further object is to provide a disk harrow which can be quickly and easily attached and detached from a tractor;

A further object is to provide a disk harrow of reduced weight which is inexpensive and simple in construction and operation.

Other objects will be apparent from the drawings, description, and appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of a tandem harrow embodying my invention shown in front elevation.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a tandem harrow.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a tandem harrow with parts shown in section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a single unit harrow.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the single unit harrow similar to Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 which illustrate the preferred embodiment of a tandem harrow, the numeral Ill designates a front transverse frame member preferably formed of rigid angle iron and bent in a U-shape to provide legs ll extending downwardly at opposite ends of the frame member. The lower ends of legs I I fixedly carry rearwardly projecting hook members l2. The rear transverse frame member l3 also formed of angle iron and bent in inverted U-shape to provide downwardly extending legs M has hook members l5 rigidly securedthereto and extending rearwardly therefrom. Frame I3 is preferably longer than frame l0 and the two frames are positioned in spaced parallel relation with the legs- II and I4 thereof extending vertically.

A pair of spaced longitudinally extending angle irons I G'are fixedly secured to the frame members I0 and iii in parallel relation and equi-spaced from the center of said frame members. The front ends of angle iron i6 project beyond the front frame member ID at I! and each thereof has a vertical plate I8 welded or otherwise fixedly secured thereto in depending relation. Each of the plates 3 has fixedly connected thereto in outwardly extending relation a connector pin l9. Diagonal braces 20 are fixedly secured to intermediate portion of the angle iron [6 intermediate their ends and extend forwardly and outwardly therefrom for fixed connection with intermediate portions of the'vertical legs ll of the front frame l0. Reinforcing bars 2| aresecured at their opposite ends to intermediate portions of adjacent vertical legs H and M. It will thus be seen that by means of the angle iron l6 and braces 26 and 2| arigid frame unitis provided wherein the front and rear transverse frame members l9 are held in rigid predetermined re- I the angle irons l6 and extend forwardly, upwardly, and inwardly therefrom for connection with the upper end portion 23. A spacer block is 7 interposed between the upper end portions 23 of bars 22 to hold said portions in properly spaced relation. A connector pin 26 is secured between the ends of the bar portions23.

pin 26 together with the two connector pins I9 constitute connector elements adapted for connection with a unit type of draft mounting such as that utilized inthe Ford-Ferguson" system.

A pair of. spaced vertical angle irons 21 are rigidly secured to the front frame member It at the center thereof as by welding and-extend in spaced relation therebelow. Elongated metal tube 28 is welded or otherwise fixedly secured at the center of the rear transverse frame member l3 and extends forwardly and downwardly therefrom and passes between ;the angle irons 21 to which it is fixedly secured as by welding. The forward end of tube 26 extends in fixedly spaced relation to the angle irons 211 and to the frame l3. Thus, this tube 26 serves as attachment means to reinforce and brace the rigid frame unit described above. The outer end of the tube 28 The connector inner bearings 39 of each of the rear disk gangs.

- provide a uniform or' common point of connection .for all of the disk gangs. Additionally, it will be between the rigid frame u it frame members 42 and is pivoted td the adjacent frame member 42 at 44 to constitute a connection U -shaped member -42.

.A pair of rearwardly extending links 45 are projected at their forward ends at 46 on opposite sides of the bars 29. The links 45 terminate in hook portions 41 which fit in the eyelets 46 of the inner bearings 39 of each of the forward disk angs. Elongated links 46 are pivotally connected to sidebars 29 at 49 at their forward ends and in substantially equi-spaced and opposed relation'to pivot 46 of links 45'with respect to pivot center 30 of said bars 29. The bars 49 are shaped to. extend through the positioning frames 42 of the front disk gangs and above the disk plates 33 thereof. The rear ends of bars 46 terminate in hook portions 50 which fit in the eyelets 46 of the It will thus be seen that the inner ends of each of the diskgangs of the tandem disk harrow are connected with ,and pulled from the bars 29 to obvious that-this connection of links and 46 with pivoted bars 29 permits simultaneous and substantially equal adjustment of the angular position of each disk gang relative to the rigid frame unit. a

pivotally mounts a pair of spaced parallel bars 29 at an intermediate point 30 thereof. The pper ends of bars 39 mount a bearing block 3| there- :between pivoted to bars 29 at 32. The angle irons 21 project above the upper end of transverse frame and ablock 33 provided with an internally screw threaded bore is pivoted at 34 between the bearing block and the threaded portion 36 thereof is threaded in the pivoted block 33. It will thus be seen that the bars 29 are positioned forwardly of the rigid frame unit and the inclination thereof, relative to the vertical -is readily adjusted by.

the crank.

A plurality of disk gang units each comprising an elongated shaft 31 mounting disk blade 39 thereon in equi-spaced relation are connected in tandem to the frame unit. Between the outer; most' disk 36 at each end of the shaft 31 is journaled a suitable bearing 39. Each of these bearings 39 is provided with a forwardly projecting eyelet 40 and each thereof also mounts an upwardly projecting socket 4|. The outer bearing 39 of each disk gang has its eyelet 49 interlocked with a hook l2 of the frame members l0 and I3 whereby the disk gangs are arranged in conventional tandem r lation with the hooked engagement at 12-4 constituting a pivot connection of each disk gang with the rigid frame unit. A rigid inverted U-shaped bar 42 is associated with each disk gang and has the ends of its vertical leg portions mounted in the sockets 4| of the inner and outer bearings 39 of each disk gang.

A rigid horizontal rearwardly extending arm 43 is preferably secured to each of the vertical legs II and I4 of the transverse frame members to extend adjacent the outer end ofeach ofzthe Referring now to the construction of the single unit type of harrow illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the construction thereof is as follows:

A transverse inverted U-shaped. angle iron frame member 60 having vertically depending leg portions 61 is formed of a length substantially greater than the length of the transverse frame member of the tandem disk and according to.

the number of the disk units '62 to be mounted upon each of the two disk gangs. A pair of parallel horizontal angle'iron members 63 are welded to the frame member 60 in transverse relation thereto. The rear ends of angle irons 63 are interconnected by a short transverse angle iron'member 64. Diagonal braces 65 extend between the rear ends of the longitudinal frame member 63 and the outer ends of the transverse frame member 60. A pair of upwardly project- 'ing bars 66 are provided which are welded to the frame members 63 adjacent the. forward ends thereof and which extend upwardly-and. inwardly therefrom to terminate in a vertical portion 61. Braces 66 are welded at their lower ends to the rear ends of frame member 63 and are fixedly secured to the portions 61 at 69. A connector pin '10 is carried by the upper end portion 61, and an elongated tubular member II is welded at its rear end to the cross member 64 at its center and extends forwardly and downwardly therefrom. A pair of angle bars 12 are welded to the frame 60 and project downwardly therefrom and intermediate portion of tubular member H is welded to the bars 12. Thus, it will be seenthat each of the members 60, 63, 64, 65, 66, 66, II, and 12 are so interconnected as to form a rigid effectively braced frame unit.

A vertical plate 13 is welded to the front of each frame member. 63 adjacent the frame member 66 and each of the plates 13 carries a conimplement with a tractor.

point I6 thereto. At their upper ends the bars n the inverted 18 of a crank I9. The shaft 18 is elongated and includes a screw threaded portion 88 which has threaded connection with a block 8| pivoted between the upper ends of plate 18 at 82.

The lower ends of the'legs 8| of the transverse frame member 88 carries rigid rearwardly proj'ecting hook members 83 which are'adapted for hooked connection with eyelets 84 carried by bearings 85 and mounted at the outer ends of shaft 88 which carries the disks 62. Bearings 81 are mounted adjacent the inner end of each shaft and include eyelets 88 projecting forwardly therefrom.

A pair of links 89 arepivoted at 90 at their forward ends to the lower ends of bars 15. The rear ends of links 89 terminate in hook portions 9i fitting in the eyelets 88 of the inner bearings 81. Each of the disk gangs may include an inverted U-shaped positioning frame portion 92 suitably carried by the bearings 85 and 81 and pivoted at 93 adjacent their outer ends to arms 94 carried by the ends of the transverse frame unit 60.

It will be noted that in the use of the device whether the tandem or the single unit form, the same may be connected to a unit mounting such as the Ford-Ferguson unit by simply attaching suitable connecting parts of said unit to the connector elements I9 and 28 of the tandem form or to elements 18-14 of the unit form. Thereupon, the device is ready for operation with the pull exerted upon the lower connector elements such as l9 or 14 and a positioning or rearwardly pulling action being exerted upon the upper connector elements 26 or 18. i

It will also be observed that when'the unit type of mounting is to be operated for the purpose I claim:

1. A disk harrow adapted to be connected to a tractorat three or more points 'of which at least one is above the; others, comprising a rigid frame including a pair of spaced transverse inverted U-shaped rigid frame members and a plurality of spaced rigid longitudinal frame members extending between and fixedly secured to said first frame members, a pair of aligned connectorelements secured to the front of said frame, a rigid upwardly projecting member fixedly securedft'o said frame at the front thereof, a connectbrflement carried by said last-named member at its upper end, a plurality of disk gangs each including a shaft, a bearing journaled adjacent the outer end of each shaft and including an eyelet, a rigid hook fixedly carried by each end of each transverse frame member and each fitting in one of said eyelets, a member carried by one of said longitudinal frame members in forwardly spaced relation to the front transverse frame member, and a plurality of links, eachof said links connecting the inner end of the shaft of a disk gang with said last named member.

2. A disk harrow adapted to be connected to a tractor at three or more oints spaced transversely and vertically, comprising a rigid frame unit including fixedly interconnected rigid transing the outer bearing of each gang with the outer of elevating the implement above the ground by raising the arms of the units connected to the lower connecting elements and by pulling upon the upper arms of the unit connected at the upper connector elements, this disk harrow in either embodiment will move upwardly to an elevated position. The close coupling of the disk in a tandem unit and the close positioning of the disk gangs to the points of connection 18, 14- with the unit mounting reduces the effective weight and leverage of the units and permits the same to be elevated without danger of overbalancing the tractor about its rear wheels.

One of the important advantages of this construction resides in the fact that the draft upon the inner ends of the gang unit both in the single and in the tandem forms is effected with a single rigid member, that is, the member 29 in the tandem'form and the member 15 in the unit form; hence, by merely operating one adjusting member such as the crank 35 of the tandem form, simultaneous adjustment of the relative angular position of the disk gangs is achieved.

Still a further advantage of the construction is fact that the compactness thereof and its simplicity reduces the weight and consequently the cost thereof afford a substantial advantage in this respect over present disk harrows adapted to be drawn by a tractor.

While the harrow has been primarily designed for use with a unit mounting of the Ford-Ferguson type and thegreatest advantages of the construction are achievedwhen used with that type of mounting, it will be understood that the device may also be used with equal facility when attached to any conventional draw bar construction carried by agtractor.

end of a transverse frame member, one of said longitudinal frame members projecting forwardlybf said frame intermediate the. sides thereof, link members connecting 'the inner bearing of each gang with the forward end of said forwardly projecting longitudinal frame member, and at least three spaced connector elements carried by said frame including at least one carried by the upper end of said upright frame portion and above the other elements.

3. A disk harrow adapted to be connected to a tractor at three or more points spaced vertically and transversely, comprising a rigid yframe unit including fixedly interconnected rigid transverse and longitudinal members, a plurality of disk gangs each including --a-di sk'sha'ft mounting a bearing adjacent each end, means, pivotally connecting the outer bearing of each gang with the outer end of a transverse frame member, one of said longitudinal frame members projecting forwardly of said frame intermediate the sides thereof, a rigid member adjustably mounted on the front end of said projecting frame member, a plurality of links connecting the inner bearings of said disk gangs with said adjustable member, and at least three connector elements secured to said frame unit at the front thereof and arranged in vertically and transversely spaced relation.

' 4. A disk harrow adapted to be connected to a tractor at three or more points spaced vertically and transversely, comprising a rigid frame unit including fixedly interconnected, rigid transverse and longitudinal members, a plurality of disk gangs each including a disk shaft mounting a bearing adjacent each end, means pivotally con- Y necting the outer bearing of each gang with the wardly of said frame intermediate the sides thereof, a rigid member pivoted intermediate its ends to theforward end of said projecting frame I member about a transverse horizontal axis,

. 4 Q means for adjustingsaid pivoted member including a threaded shaft connecting one end of'said member with the front portion of said frame unit, a plurality of links connecting the inner bearings of said disc gangs with said pivoted member at points spaced from the pivot thereof, and at least three connector elements secured to said frame unitatthe front thereof and arranged in vertically and transversely spaced relation.

5. A disk harrow adapted to be connected to a tractor at three or more points spaced vertically and transversely, comprising a rigid frame unit plurality of links connecting the inner bearings ofv said disk gangs with said adjustable member, and at least three spaced connector elements secured to said frame unit at the front thereof,

, said frame unit including a rigid upwardly projecting portion fixedly secured to said first named frame members and mounting at least one connector element at its upper end and above the other connector elements.

6. A disk harrow adapted to be connected to a tractor at three or more points spaced vertically and transversely, comprising a rigid frame unit including fixedly interconnected rigid transverse "and longitudinal members, a plurality of disk gangs each including a disk shaft mounting a bearing adjacent each end, means pivotally connecting the outer bearing of each gang with the outer end 01' a transverse frame member, one of said longitudinal frame members projecting for wardly of said frame intermediate the sides thereof, a rigid member adjustably mounted on the front end of said projecting frame member, a plurality of links connecting the inner bearings of said disk gangs with said adjustable member, at least three rigid angularly disposed upwardly inclined rigid frame members fixedly secured to saidfirst named frame members at the-lower ends and fixedly interconnected at their upper ends, a plurality of spaced connector elements secured to said frame unit, and a connector element secured to the upper ends of said upwardly extending frame members above said first connector elements.

7. A disk harrow adapted to be connected to a tractor at a plurality of spaced points, comprising a rigid frame unit including fixedly intercom,

nected rigid transverse and longitudinal memthree connector elements secured to said frame unit at the front thereof and arranged in vertically and transversely spaced relation.

8. A disk harrow comprising a rigid frame unit including substantially parallel front and rear rigidtransverse frame members and rigid membars-rigidly connecting said front and rear members, a plurality of disk units each including a rigid sub-frame and a disk gang journaled therein, said sub-frame having a substantially up- 9. A disk harrow comprising a rigid frame unit,

a plurality of disk gangs arranged in tandem, means pivotally connecting the outer end of each gang with said frame unit, a rigid adjustable member carried by said frame unit, and a plurality'of rigid links connecting the inner end of each gang with sai'd adjustable member, and at least three connector elements secured to the front of said frame unit in vertically and transversely spaced relation.

10. A disk harrow comprising a rigid frame unit, apluralityof disk gangs, means for pivotally securing each gangto said rigid frame unit, means carried by said frame unit for adjusting the relative angular positions of said gangs, and at least three connector elements fixedly carried by said frame unit at the front thereof and arranged in vertically and transversely spaced relation.

11. A disk harrow comprising a rigid frame unit including fixedly interconnected rigid transverse and longitudinal members, a plurality of disk units eachincluding a sub-frame and a disk gang journaled therein, means pivotally connecting the outer end of each disk unit with the outer end of a transverse frame member about avertical axis, means limiting vertical tilting of said disk units, one of said longitudinal frame members projecting forwardly of said frame intermediate the sides thereof, link members connecting the inner end of each disk unit with the forward end of said forwardly projecting longitudinal frame member and at least three connectors fixedly secured to the front of said frame unit at transversely and verticallyspaced points.

12. A disk harrow comprising a rigid frame unit including fixedly interconnected rigid-transverse and longitudinal members, a plurality of disk units each including a disk gang and a rigid sub-frame, means pivotally connecting the outer end of each disk unit with the outer end of a transverse frame member for free horizontal swinging movement and limited vertical tilting, a plurality of links connecting the inner end of each disk unit with a common rigid element of said frame unit, and at least three connectors fixedly secured to the front of said frame unit at transversely and-vertically spaced points.

13. An agricultural implement comprising spaced front and rear transverse rigid frame members, rigid longitudinal members rigidly connecting said transverse frame members, said transverse members and longitudinal members constituting a. rigid frame unit, a, plurality of transversely extending elongated ground working tools, rigid sub-frames each mounting one of said tools and cooperating therewith to form a tool unit, means'carried by said rigid frame unit and pivotally connected to each tool unit at three vertically and horizontally'spac'ed points, and at least three vertically and horizontally spaced connectors fixedly secured to the front of said frame unit.

14. A disk harrow comprising spaced front and rear transverse rigid frame members, rigid members fixedly connecting said transverse frame members. said transverse members and connecting members constituting a rigid frame unit, a plurality of disk gangs, each including a disk shaft, a plurality of rigid sub-frames, a pair of spaced bearings connected with each subframe and journaling a disk shaft, each cooperating sub-frame and disk gang forming a disk unit, means carried by said frame unit for pivotally connecting each disk unit thereto at spaced substantially vertically aligned points, links spaced from said pivot connections for connectmg each disc unit with a common member of said frame unit and three vertically and horizontally spaced connectors fixedly secured to the front of said frame unit.

15. A disk harrow comprising spa ed front and rear rigid transverse frame members of inverted U-shape, rigid members fixedly connecting said transverse members to form a rigid main frame unit, a plurality of rigid sub-frames of inverted U-shape pivotally connected with said main frame unit, a pair of spaced bearings carried by each sub-frame below the pivot connections of said main and sub-frames, a plurality :of disk gangs each including a disk shaft joumaled in said bearings, and connectors carried by said main frame and each pivotally connected to a bearing.

16. A disk harrow comprising a rigid frame unit including substantially parallel front and rear rigid transverse frame members and rigid members rigidly connecting said front and rear members, a plurality of disk units each including a sub-frame and a disk gang journaled therein,

tilt-restricting means for pivotally connecting the outer end of each disk unit with the outer end of a transverse frame member about a substantially vertical axis, a rigid adjustable memher carried by said frame unit, a plurality of rigid links connecting the inner end of each shaft with said adjustable member, and at least three connector elements secured to the front of said frame unit in vertically and transversely spaced able member, and at least three transversely and vertically spaced connectors fixed to said frame unit at the front thereof,

, 18. An agricultural implement comprising a rigid frame unit including fixedly interconnected transverse and longitudinal members, a plurality of tool units each including a rigid sub-frame and a transverse ground working tool carried by said sub-frame, means pivotally connecting the outer end of each tool unit with the outer end of a transverse frame member about a substantially vertical axis and in vertical-tilt-restrictin relation, one of said longitudinal frame members projecting forwardly of said frame intermediate the sides thereof, a rigid member adjustably mounted on the front end of said projecting frame member, a plurality of links connecting the inner ends of said tool units with said adjustable member, and at least three connectors fixed on the front of said frame unit at vertically and horizontally spaced points.

JABEZ A. LOVE. 

